Improving Seismic Design

Studying the effects of building shape and design on the seismic properties of RC structures By C.N.Miran

Why is Seismic Engineering Important?

Map showing all the location of the tectonic plates around the world

Types of plate movement

Lateral Fault and Slip Faults

Damage to Built Areas

Niigata

Sichuan

Chile

Preventative systems

Dampening systems

Single

Crossed

Knee K Types of Bracing

Inverted V

NATURAL FREQUENCY The Natural Frequency of a Building The natural frequencies of vibration of a building depend on its mass and its stiffness. The natural frequency for each mode of vibration follows this rule:

1 f = 2

K M

f = natural frequency in Hertz. K = the stiffness of the building associated with this mode M = the mass of the building associated with this mode Buildings tend to have lower natural frequencies when they are: Either heavier Or more flexible

Dissertation Aim
B-B plan section 27m A-A plan section
19.42m

5m 5m 19.42m 27m

Each Floor height at 3.5m spacings 35m 3.5m

Wall Inclination 74.05 degrees

[A]

[B]

Figure 1. Dimensions and layout of conventional and tapered structures. [A] Conventional 10 storey structure. [B] Tapered 10 storey structure with inclination of outer walls

Findings So Far - Conventional Structure

1st MODE FREQ = 3.361Hz

Figure 2. Conventional 10 storey structures- Displaced Shape Under Seismic Loading

Findings So Far - Conventional Structure

1st MODE FREQ = 3.361Hz

Figure 3. Conventional 10 storey structures- Displaced Shape Under Seismic Loading

Pyramidal Structure
1st MODE FREQ = 3.715Hz

Figure 4. Tapered 10 storey structures- Displaced Shape Under Seismic Loading

Pyramidal Structure
1st MODE FREQ = 3.715 Hz

Figure 4. Tapered 10 storey structures- Displaced Shape Under Seismic Loading of fundamental period

Results

Set CONV STRUC PYRIM STRUC

1 2.379 2.8756

2 3.3611 3.7149

3 4.5131 7.8746

4 7.1106 7.9222

Time/Freq 5 6 9.5321 9.9858 10.282 12.931

7 11.759 13.841

8 14.662 16.583

9 15.179 17.352

10 16.258 17.791

Wall Inclination 83 degrees

Wall Inclination 74.05 degrees

The Shard (LONDON)

THE END

References ACI (2008). Building code requirements for structural concrete (ACI 318-08) and commentary, American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI. AISC (2006). Seismic design manual, American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc., Chicago, IL. Mezzi M., A. Parducci and P. Verducci , 2004. Architectural and Structural Configurations of Buildings with Innovative Aseismic Systems, 13th WCEE, Vancouver, Canada. Arnold C. and R. Reitherman, 1982. Building Configuration and Seismic Design, John Wiley, New York. Eurocode no.8, 2001. Design of Structures for Earthquake Resistance, prDraft No.3.

Why is seismic engineering Important? (NEXT SLIDE) Seismic engineering is the study of ground motion, formed from the necessity to ensure safety and protection of occupants and assets. The study of seismic engineering can identify the required design criteria for earthquake-resistant buildings Seismic engineering has been around for 2000 years, and has been integrated into the building design and structures of the earliest civilisations such as Pyramids and temples Seismic activity is the vibration and waves generated from the motion or collision of a series of plates which compose the Earths crust. Types of plate movement (NEXT SLIDE) These complex ground motions are effects of the Earths tectonic plate friction between the plate faults, as each slide, sub-duct and extend with another, generating tremendous stresses, which when released instantaneously, radiate through the plates as shockwaves, emanating from an epicentre point and may range in duration from a couple of seconds to minutes. The magnitude of ground vibration is measured on a logarithmic scale known as The Richter scale . This ranges in magnitude from 1 to 10.

Damage to Built Areas (NEXT SLIDE) Earthquakes can cause a spectrum of damage to built areas depending on the proximity of the fault to a built environment Primary damage may be due to ground failure such as permanent ground rupture, landslides & liquefaction Secondary effects are post seismic activity damage such as fires and post structural failure which occur after the passing of ground motion. Preventive systems (NEXT SLIDE) Modern earthquake protection systems employ dampening devices within the building structure. These devices aim to dissipate the forces exerted by the ground motion and can be categorised into active, passive and isolation devices. Shear Walls and Braced Frames can be strategically placed to stiffen the walls and are capable of transferring lateral forces from floors and roofs to the foundation.

Dissertation Aim
However, ultimately the physical properties such as building shape, base to height ratio, uniformity, symmetry, ductility and stiffness are fundamental elements which compose a structures seismic characteristics. (NEXT SLIDE) NATURAL FREQUENCY Lets take an example. Imagine you could push a building sideways at its top and then let go so that it swayed naturally. The number of times it swayed to and fro every second would be the fundamental frequency of vibration of the building. If you repeated the experiment, but pushed the building a little harder or lighter, the fundamental frequency would stay the same. The building distorts in a particular way when it vibrates at this frequency. The shape it takes up is called the fundamental mode shape. So let us look at the proposed design which best meets these outlined criteria (NEXT SLIDE) My study focuses on the effects of building shape, on the structural integrity under significantly large and rare seismic events. The study of the shape element of the building will compare conventional shape design and dimensions to those of nonconventional building shapes, specifically pyramids or taper shaped buildings in relation to their seismic properties. The aim is to establish that such taper shaped or pyramidal buildings demonstrate a greater stability with lower centre of mass, while are also more restrained laterally and hence more resistant to displacements due to ground motion.

(NEXT SLIDE) So let me present my latest findings for the analysis I have conducted using a FEM. (NEXT SLIDE) Here you can see the displaced shape of a conventional structure at the 1st mode or fundamental period. Which is occurring at 3.361Hz (NEXT SLIDE) (NEXT SLIDE) Here you will see the pyramidal displaced shape at the fundamental Period occurring at 3.715 Hz (NEXT SLIDE) This Graph illustrates the extracted modes for each of the two structures studied and as shown the Pyramidal structure exhibits a greater stability to dynamic loading, this is due to a lower centre of gravity for this structure also the inclined outer walls provide lateral bracing to the whole structure increasing the stiffness of the structure. So What I intend to do for the future (NEXT SLIDE) The area I would like to step into next is to test different angles for the structure and change the structures shape like a stepped building design, this will allow more information to be related to the conventional structure. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME